Horror Queen Liesel Kopp

If you keep up with the indie horror world, you’ve likely picked up on the buzz that is surrounding An American Ghost Story. Liesel Kopp is the female lead of that haunted house style horror movie, along with a healthy list of other projects – and that is what makes her a horror queen.

How do you feel about horror movies’ role in popular culture?
I think they give us a way to explore our darkest fears and insecurities, they’re cathartic and allow us to go down the rabbit hole together, then ultimately escape. They’re also accessible in any culture, even if you don’t speak the language and there are no subtitles, you can understand the raw human emotions on the screen. It’s a powerful genre—it’s insidious and attacks all of your senses.

What’s your favorite horror movie?
The Serpent and the Rainbow is one of the first films that scared the living daylights out of me. I also like films which to me have horrific elements but aren’t necessarily considered true horror films; Miracle Mile is one of my favorite films ever and has such a sense of dread and panic, and makes you think “What if this actually happened? Oh crap, this could totally happen.” Especially being born and raised in LA, it has always hit home for me. Another favorite of mine is Todd Haynes’ Safe, a dark psychological horror film starring Julianne Moore. It’s an increasingly tense portrait of a woman who begins isolating herself as an unknown element makes her sicker and sicker, and the ending is totally open to opposite interpretations, which I love. And for a fun, dark, smart, hilarious horror film, Some Guy Who Kills People starring Kevin Corrigan is just awesome. Plus, they filmed much of it in the location we filmed Die-ner (Get It?) at, so I was tickled to see them there.

What was the best advice that you have been given and who gave it to you?
I’m a quote collector, and some of my favorites that really speak to and inspire me are:

“When we are motivated by goals that have deep meaning, by dreams that need completion, by pure love that needs expressing, then we truly live life.” -Greg Anderson

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” -Albert Einstein

“That some achieve great success is proof to all that others can achieve it as well.” -Abraham Lincoln

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

“We dance for laughter, we dance for tears, we dance for madness, we dance for fears. We dance for hopes, we dance for screams, we are the dancers, we create the dreams.” -Albert Einstein

What advice do you have for up and coming Horror Queens?
Persevere. Do it your way. Stand up for what you believe in. Be kind to all. Be professional and humble. And have a blast getting bloody!!

Do you have an actor who you are dying to work with?
Matthew Rhys, Kevin Corrigan, Mariska Hargitay, Anna Torv, John Noble, Jason Isaacs and Mads Mikkelsen are amazing.

What role are you the most proud of?
A role in the Clive Barker play Frankenstein in Love at Sacred Fools Theatre in Los Angeles. I played Maria Reina Duran—a dead, Spanish, palm-reading, fan-dancing whore who alternately interacted with the other characters and also spoke to the audience. I would probably never be cast as that role in film or TV, and playing her was liberating, challenging and exciting. The sets and special effects/gore elements were amazing. I adored every single moment of being her.

Any new projects we should be on the lookout for?
In August I’ll be shooting a lead role in The Devil’s Tree, which I’m really excited about and has some very cool folks involved such as Josh Petrino (Hatchet III, Chillerama, Wilfred), Howard Smith (The Matrix Revolutions and Reloaded, MIB 3, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) and Doug Tubach (The Avengers, Super 8, Terminator Salvation).

An American Ghost Story, a film that premiered last October at Shriekfest and Buffalo Screams, will be released on DVD and VOD on August 20th.

Nightcomer, a vampire flick starring Mackenzie Rosman in which I have a supporting role, will be out later this year.

And I just shot a supporting role in prolific horror film director Creep Creepersin’s Frankenstein’s Bride.

What scares you?
Large spiders. Mean people. Dying suddenly without getting to say goodbye to those I love or live all the dreams I still have inside me.